He loves his team. He loves his program. He loves the Vanderbilt community. You can see it in his actions. You can hear it in his words.

He's embraced the Vanderbilt program in his three years there, and it has embraced him.

And now Franklin's name is being thrown in with job vacancies he once only could dream about. Penn State is one of those jobs. Reportedly, Franklin will meet soon with the Nittany Lions' brass, this coming after the Commodores' 41-24 victory over Houston on Saturday in the BBVA Compass Bowl. The win capped Vanderbilt's first-ever back-to-back nine-win seasons.

Who knows what will come of the meeting with Penn State? Maybe Franklin will be Penn State's next football coach. Maybe he won't. We'll all know in a few days at most.

Long ago when Franklin was a quarterback at East Stroudsburg University, we crossed paths. I was an offensive lineman and was lucky enough to snap a few balls to Franklin.

I know a little about him, his fiber, his character, his competitiveness. In the last few days, I've watched on YouTube the coach that Franklin has become. I've watched how he speaks to his players.

I can see why so many like Franklin. He connects with his players, just like he's connected with the Vanderbilt community.

In three years under Franklin, the Commodores are beating teams — Florida, Tennessee, Georgia and the list goes on — of programs Vanderbilt not long ago couldn't sniff. Credit the Vanderbilt players, but also credit Franklin and his staff.

He's a winner. He was at Neshaminy High School. He was at ESU. And Franklin is today. I am not surprised that Franklin's name is being tossed into the major college mixing pot, and even the NFL, when it comes to vacant jobs.

Penn State, no doubt, wants a special coach. The Nittany Lions want an exceptional coach. I think Franklin is both.

I also can't imagine what Franklin must be feeling these last several days. While trying to prepare his team for Houston, his mind must have been doing cartwheels.

I know this, while many Pennsylvania football fans wonder who Penn State's next coach will be, there are two sides to every coach and program marriage. There is no doubt Franklin loves his job and his players at Vanderbilt and it would be difficult if he decides to leave them.

Could he love Penn State even more? Maybe.

I will say this, there is definitely something quite special about Franklin. Whether it be at Vanderbilt or Penn State or somewhere else, his legacy in the coaching world is just beginning.